Bass Coast Health CEO resigns

Board Chair Peter Laydon announced today that Ms Jamison would finish in the role on Wednesday, March 2, 2016.

It follows a decision by Mr Laydon to resign at a hospital board meeting last week.

“I wish to thank Veronica for her strong contribution and dedication to the growth and development of Bass Coast Health since she commenced in October 2014,” Mr Laydon said.

“She has overseen many initiatives and projects during her time as the CEO at BCH including the opening of the new short stay unit, the development of the new five year strategic plan and has been a strong advocate for the development of the new community health facility on Phillip Island, and this work will continue.

“Veronica has been involved in the health sector for more than 30 years, and has held senior roles at other health services in Melbourne and country Victoria.

“Her past experience in positions at Monash Health, Melbourne Health and Alfred Health has been of great benefit to Bass Coast Health and our local community.”

Mr Laydon said the board would appoint Ms Jan Child as interim CEO while it commenced recruitment for Ms Jamison’s replacement. Ms Child is an experienced senior executive at Peninsula Health and will commence the interim role on Monday 7 March 2016.

She is a Registered Nurse and holds an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Nursing post at Monash University. She has a Graduate Diploma Behavioural Sciences (Drug Dependence); Master’s in Public Health, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a surveyor for the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards.

Ms Child has more than 30 years’ experience in public health. As Chief Operating Officer at Peninsula Health, Ms Child’s operational responsibilities have extended across a broad portfolio of services which has included acute, emergency and critical care; aged, rehabilitation and palliative care, mental health and community health.

She has been professionally responsible for all allied health and nursing staff and has been responsible for the development of Peninsula Health’s extensive community participation program, which includes support to more than 800 volunteers.

When announcing his decision to step down this week, Mr Laydon made mention of incredible pressures on the organisation to reform, although he was at pains to say his own decision was personal rather than the result of those pressures.

PHOTO: In 2012, Bass Coast Health developed a master plan for the Wonthaggi hospital (as pictured above) but only a small part of the project was included in stage one, not the full redevelopment to sub-regional status that is required and has been supported in other state government commissioned strategy documents.

Latest Comments

PETER HALL

The problems at Bass Coast Regional Health continue with more resignations and a list as long as your arm of good staff who have been bullied out and those who have left in frustration. It is time the community became more involved in their health service and elected some community focused board members.
The sell out of the Community Health Service should never have gone ahead and the hospital should not have taken over this important community asset. Now we have no Community Health Service and a Regional Health service with poor management and a board for what ever reason are walking away from their positions. The community deserves better and are looking for answers.

March 16 @ 11:31:17

Concerned

I hardly think it is appropriate for Peter Laydon, who is himself departing in a few weeks, to be talking up the performance of the CEO. Now is the time for healing.